Radio Free JoJo

Radio Free JoJo is moved

2006-06-27T07:52:00.000-04:00

It's official...I've finally sprung for my own domain and host. From now on, you can read my blog at:
http://www.joelnatalie.com

Join me in the conversation!

I guess I'm a Road Geek!

2006-04-27T20:59:00.000-04:00

OK, here's an admission...I'm an infrastructure kind of guy. I'm one of those people that whenever they build a new road, I want to drive on it within the first 24 hours of it's being built. I collect maps. I have a pretty sizeable collection. I've loved maps since I was very little. I was always "The Navigator" whenever my family took a trip.

I love roads.

I just found a website that totally fuels my obsession, and found some people that are more obsessed than me. It's PAHighways.com. It is the work of this cool dude Jeffrey J. Kitsko of Latrobe. Among Road Geeks, he is most honored. And he's built one amazing website. Within it's pages are details upon details of the history of planning, the construction schedule, and little know facts about every Interstate, US and major PA road in the state. I'm dumbfounded where he got all of his information, but it's all there.

Several years ago, my obsession got the best of me and I spent an afternoon at the old Erie Public Library on S. Park Row looking through old Erie Times-News clippings on area highways. I don't know if they still have clipping drawers at Blasko, but I found out some cool things, like how they titled the expansion of US 20 to four lanes from Girard to the Ohio Line the Erie County Thruway or Turnpike or something like that. There was also great gnashing of teeth when the state planners decided to put I-90 three miles south of the city, instead of through it (can you imagine 4-lane overpasses cutting off our view of the bay?!?!). There was also the big stink area residents put up that defeated the plan to put an I-79 interchange at West 38th Street...which would have been helpful right around 2006.

A cool thing that I had long forgot but Mr. Kitsko had on his site was that the original designation of I-79 was to stop at I-90, and a I-179 was to go north, parelleling PA 99 to around Kearsarge. Weird, huh! Thank goodness they kept I-79 going, and now we have the beautiful Bayfront Parkway from there.

What's the big deal about roads? Highways have made us prosper, see more of this great country, and share experiences with our families. One of the weird things about being a road geek is trying to get into the head of a person traveling across the country before the Interstate Highway System. What was it like in the early 1950's to drive from Boston to Chicago, having to drive through all of those little towns, including on our Buffalo Road, Broad Street, 26th Street, and Ridge Road? It's seems quite romantic and difficult at the same time.

All this to say great job Jeff Kitsko on an awesome website for road geeks...like me.

A Tale of Two Eries

2006-04-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

I was driving across West 12th Street on Easter with my father-in-law who lives out of town. As we entered the West Erie Plaza area he mentioned, "Boy, there are alot of closed up buildings here." As I looked around at the old BP, Shebang, Eckards, and countless other properies complete with "For Lease/Sale" signs, it occured to me that when it comes to retail and economic activity, there are two Eries.
The one we hear and brag about is the Erie of upper Peach Street. The Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy retail district, plus all of the Scott Enterprises hotels, restaurants and Splash Lagoon. It's the Erie that people from outside Erie County know...those people with excess discretionary income. Thank God they come here!
Then there's the other Erie, the funky, boarded up, broke Erie. West Erie Plaza, Liberty Plaza, even parts of the Millcreek Mall (what happened to SteinMart, the Regal cinemas, Ames, Blair outlet). This is the Erie of the dollar store and Value City. It's a real, troubling picture of our true economic condition, and it should concern everyone regionally.
Notice that most of the boarded up places I mentioned are in what's supposed to be coveted Millcreek. I think the township has definately peaked, and is being passed by in favor of Summit for commercial development, and Fairview and Edinboro for residential. I've been saying for 10 years now that with the money available from the federal and state governments, the urban core will experience renewal, but the immediate suburbs will suffer, creating a donut effect of vital core, surrounded by trouble, then wealth in the sprawling distant townships.
It's lousy planning, of course, but no one seems to have a will to really get tough with a comprehensive county-wide growth, or maybe it should be called a counter-stagnation plan.
What my father-in-law saw is the true indicator of the really poor condition of our regional economy, and the need of a regional approach to development, tax policy, and getting our economy moving.

What's the future of broadcasting?

2006-04-11T19:11:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine asked me about what I thought the future held in terms of radio and television broadcasting, especially considering all of the emerging technologies in the mix. I thought you might want to hear what I shared:

Mike,

In a nutshell, I think that TV and radio continue to be a robust business, yet very different than the industry I entered 23 years ago. In a lot of ways it's better: more stable operators, better wages, more accountability, better programmed stations. In many ways it's worse: worse at public service, less connection to community, less opportunities for jobs for young people (when one announcer can voice track two dozen stations from central location, it's hard for a kid to get a break).

I differ with you on the promise of satellite. I think in both TV and radio, it's huge. But it may soon be eclipsed by internet radio, and the I-pod and podcasts. The entrance of fiber to the last mile will only make more bandwidth available, not change what's on the data streams.

All of this diversity will make not only each format, but each technology into a niche. I-pods will attract young people, true lovers of music, and business travelers. Terrestial radio for activists and low-income consumers. Satellite for high-income consumers. I think the technology chips will fall as they may.

Finally, if I had the cash to pick up a station with a footprint over a viable community, I would grab it. Because if I got the programming right, I could play in all of the above technologies except satellite. And that's the great thing about creating good content and spreading it around. And remember, one analog FM station means three digital ones...and that's cool!

God bless,
Joel

"My Inspiration" published in Erie Times News Wednesday

2006-03-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to share with you a tribute that I wrote about my parents. It's available at the link above from goerie.com.

Intelligent Design Research

2006-03-24T12:11:00.000-05:00

As I continue to dig into the controversy involving evolution vs. intelligent design, I'll include references to articles regarding the discussion. Here are the articles I've found (newest on top):

New Scientist - Is string theory in trouble? - Interview

EVOLUTION: Darwin's Place on Campus is Secure--But Not Supreme -- Holden 311 (5762): 769 -- Sci

Skepticism's Prospects for Unseating Intelligent Design

Confirmation of Rapid Metamorphism of Rocks

Second Law of Thermodynamics: Answers To Critics

Peer-Reviewed, Peer-Edited, and other Scientific Publications Supporting the Theory of Intelligent Design (Annotated)

Bebo Norman Comes To Edinboro PA March 31st

2006-03-23T17:23:00.000-05:00

McLane Church in Edinboro, PA welcomes contemporary Christian recording artist Bebo Norman to “The Worship Thing,” Friday, March 31st at 7:07 PM. Norman joins The Gathering Band for this event sponsored by the Next Generation ministry at McLane Church, 12511 Edinboro Road, Edinboro.
106.3 WCTL Radio welcomes Essential recording artist and Dove Award-nominee Bebo Norman, who has dominated the Christian Adult Contemporary charts with several top 10 hits since he debuted on the label in 1999. Fans will hear hits like “Stand,” “I Am,” and “Great Light of the World,” along with “Nothing Without You” and the recent radio single “Borrow Mine,” from his latest album, “Try.”
The Gathering Band is the house band for “The Gathering,” the regular Tuesday evening Next Generation worship service at McLane Church, targeted at 18 to 30 year olds. They will feature original worship songs along with covers of songs from post-modern songwriters like Chris Tomlin and David Crowder.
Tickets for “The Worship Thing” are $5.00, $7.00 day of show, and available at area Christian retailers, WCTL Radio, and McLane Church. Limited seating is available, and tickets are selling quickly. Proceeds from a free-will offering will go to the Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the organization headed by Franklin Graham.
“The Worship Thing” is sponsored by: Abundant Life Chiropractic, Bryan Kerr Automotive Service, Cunningham Chrysler of Edinboro, John’s Wildwood Pizza, and Point, Click & Learn Computer Training. For more information or tickets, call (814) 734-1907 or go to www.mclanechurch.org.

Ode to C-Span

2006-03-14T14:23:00.000-05:00

I am in love with a cable channel.

Not since I was addicted to MTV circa 1982 have I really enjoyed the programming and take of a media outlet like C-Span.

Even though we go through the monthly ritual of cursing the cable bill, this is one (actually three) thing that industry has done right. The gavel-to-gavel coverage of the House and Senate, hearings on both sides of the Capitol, live coverage of the President, the White House Press briefing dance, it's all there, unedited and unexplained. We get to hear the politicians with full fire and fury. I even enjoy Book-TV on the weekends, although my children roll their eyes at me when I have it on.

The live, full coverage, and thankfully the weekend repeat coverage, of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justice Samuel Alito were really brilliant. I was able to keep up with these historic events, even with a full schedule.

C-Span reminds me of the way television news used to happen, live, and gavel to gavel. Watching the hearings for the justices threw me back to the impeachment of Nixon in 1974 (I was little), and Iran/Contra in the 80's. Of course, those were on the broadcast networks, when they recieved lots of complaint for preempting Days of Our Lives for Ollie North!

Special kudos for Erie native Steve Scully, who does a fine job on the networks. Thanks to C-Span and their team for keeping it real.

Erie's economy: a mixed bag

2006-03-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

The empirical evidence of the state of Erie's economy would show that while on the surface, there are signs of strength, digging deeper uncovers the smell of rot.

On the positive side, GE's near record locomotive orders is all good, as well as Nick Scott's desire to again grow his tourist mecca, Splash Lagoon. Although I think that basing a government's budget on gambling revenue is ridiculous and morally wrong, you can't deny that spending $184 million on what's probably the biggest construction project in Erie County history, Presque Isle Downs, would have a least a short-term impact on wages and jobs.

However, here are the tell-tale signs that we are hurting: plant closings, boarded up retail, even in "coveted Millcreek;" layoffs or zero-hiring's at places like Times Publishing, or NextMedia because readership, viewers and listeners are all in decline, causing ad revenue to drop.

The true story is that population and income is stagnant, has been for decades. There is nearly no growth in buying power; we as a population cannot keep up our spending as costs increase, because our wages don't increase fast enough. We aren't making stuff that people outside of Erie need like we used to, so that dollars generated elsewhere aren't being infused into our economy. We have little knowledge-based industry here, which is really the present and future for the entire American economy.

This is one of the reason why I'm so hype about a region-based comprehensive approach to government, taxes, business retention, and development. There are hopeful signs, but the major paradigm shift of how we operate every day has yet to be embraced.

"It was like 'War Of The Worlds'!"

2006-03-09T19:50:00.000-05:00

In an experience where life almost imitated art, my wife and I were suddenly awakened last night just before 2 AM to a sudden loud buzz, then incredibly bright flash and boom. We jumped out of bed, headed into the living room when moments later it happened again! We looked out the windows and could not see any fires, and the neighborhood still had power. I had once seen lightening strike a power transformer before and thought it might be that, but called Erie Police's non-emerency number to be sure. The dispatcher said that they indeed had several reports from officers on patrol about transformers exploding. We tried to go back to bed when a third, smaller flash occured, which turned out to be a transmission line popping an insolator, just down the block. Soon Erie Fire showed up and blocked the street. I went out to see what was up and my neighbors were really shocked. One said, "the sound and the lights were just like the movie, you know, 'War Of The Worlds.'"

I'm not sure I've ever been scared like that in a long time. It took us an hour to settle back to sleep.

The merger study crashed

2006-03-02T23:14:00.000-05:00

Who was it in the 1980's who used to yell, "Disappointed!" Yeah, that's me with the total unraveling of the Erie City/Millcreek Twp. merger study ballet initiative. Now we won't get what we really needed, an enlightened, civil, pragmatic discussion of the pros and cons of putting together the two largest municipalities in PA in 60 miles, who just happen to be adjacent to each other.
I'm sorry, but to me this is something that should have been accomplished in the Tullio administration, first term (read 1960's).
I'm feeling that if I can get a little time, I'd like to go on a "personal merger study" to find out how much savings and benefit this could mean. I'm not convienced actually that just two municipalites merging, without thier school districts affected, would mean much to the region's future. But if you were talking four or five, with a consoliated school system, there's some power to that. Certainly a lot to be concerned about as well, but could launch the Erie region into a much more forward-thinking, early 21st century mode.
Yeah..."Disappointed!"

Can't we just study the merger?

2006-02-27T12:11:00.000-05:00

A story on the news last week about a Millcreek woman challenging the signatures on a petition to put a Erie City/Millcreek Township merger study commission on the ballot for this year's primary. The petition's organizers are confident that the petitions will stand.
There are so many reasons for a merger to be studyed and hopefully approved by the voters. This metropolitan area has suffered from zero growth for the last 40+ years, and bold, new thinking and comprehensive strategies are key for our whole region's survival. If you ask me, the merger shouldn't stop at just at the city and Millcreek's municipal governments, but other contiguous suburbs and their SCHOOL DISTRICTS!! There is where true school choice and ecomomy of government lies.
I lived for four years in Nashville/Metro Davison County, TN. We had a consolidated metro government, metro police, a mayor, city legislature, school district, etc. Our property taxes were one-third of Erie's, with no income tax. What is wrong at emulating metro areas that are successful in growth and generating family-sustaining jobs?
Sure the problems at City Hall need to be fixed. The people in Millcreek need to remember two things: this study is about our future, our distant future: nothing will happen overnight. Secondly, the sheer size of Millcreek would make the residents one-third of the new city, and most of its money base. Most of the power for the greater city would be in their hands. This merger might be more akin to Capital Cities buying ABC back in the 1980's, the smaller capturing the bigger.

Why the Democrats can't handle GWB as President

2006-01-25T22:13:00.000-05:00

Since the beginning of the year, a shrill winey pitch has emitted from the Washington Beltway. President Bush continues to dumbfound the Democrats through his leadership. The Dems and their friends in the Beltway media can't seem to figure GWB out, and the fact that he really doesn't give a rip of what the "smart set" (props to Mary Madelin) thinks has them all in a quandary.

Don't think that I agree with all of the administration's policies, however he gets the benefit of the doubt. Somebody look up the word "statesman".

I don't believe my ancestor was a monkey

2005-11-05T06:59:00.000-05:00

An interesting trial is wrapping up down in Harrisburg. Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District is being touted as the 21st century's Scope's Monkey Trial. It puts on trial the theory of Intelligent Design, which its critics decry is just plain old creationism, which is not science but faith.
The problem is that so much of science is faith and ideology. No one in modern science was alive at the beginning of time so we rely on theory of how things happen, instead of observable evidence. That when things get dicey.
There is no reason why ID can't be put forth as another theory alongside evolution. But the evolution facists won't have it. Their anti-religion relativism is totally dependent on the quelching of free debate, and the treatment of Darwin's theory as fact, which, of course is intellectually dishonest. All the Dover school directors wanted to do is read four paragraphs ninth graders before diving into weeks of evolution education, correctly referring to evolution as "not fact" and another theory is ID, and that they actually had a ID textbook in the school library.
The evolutionists own college campuses, the textbook companies, the professional journals, the media. It won't let some backwater school board in rural PA breach their thought police.
Whoever loses in Harrisburg vows to bring the debate all the way up to the US Supreme Court.

Taken off message

2005-10-21T06:25:00.000-04:00

Since the real "big one", Katrina,it seems like the Republicans have been caught in their own perfect storm. Indeed the problems have been many: the "perceived" late federal response to the storm, the mess about Valerie Plume, Tom Delay's woes, a tough insurgency in Iraq, and the real craziness about Harriet Miers.
If I believed in conspiracy theories, I would almost believe that the left has been piling this on for the expressed purpose in destroying the President's power right at the time when it's needed most...for a Supreme Court nomination.
But no conspiracies here, just a total deterioration of discipline of message and purpose. The strategic plan of "The Contract For America" worked a while, but it wasn't updated, and missed many of it's goals.
With the party who's agenda I believe in controlling basically now all three branches of government, we want a coordinated, sincere, and powerful message of unity. I still believe in the integrity and political shrewdness of this President, but now is the time for strong leadership from the White House. GWB must come out strong and control the agenda, now.

Getting Started

2005-10-14T20:16:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I've tried the blog thing at least once before...but I feel good about getting back in this space, attempting to really express my ideas, and have some fun. I hope you'll journey with me...it would be a privledge!